Page 72 of Tempted By Hades

Except…

He was here.

The seer, an enigmatic figure shrouded in ethereal wisps, materialized before Hades and Persephone. Its presence was a reminder of ancient rites and the cosmic balance that governed the realms. The spectral being, known for overseeing the drawing of lots that determined the dominions of the gods, hovered with an otherworldly aura.

Persephone cast a glance full of intrigue toward the ethereal figure. The knot in Hades’s chest seemingly grew tenfold, squeezing and tightening until he couldn’t breathe. He wanted to get out of there and take Persephone with him.

I should have told her.

And now it may be too late.

“Lord Hades,” the seer began. “I’m glad to see you have received my message and that you were able to follow my instructions.” His gaze remained fixed on Hades.

Unbeknownst to the revelers, Hades wrestled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead, the threads of destiny weaving a pattern that hinted at challenges yet to be unveiled. A different thought intruded in his head: what if this seer was some malevolent creature? What if he’d fooled him into bringing Persephone here, but for a different reason?

Instinctively, Hades positioned himself as a protective barrier between Persephone and the mysterious seer. Though the festivities swirled around them, his attention remained steadfast on shielding his queen from the veiled uncertainties the spectral figure hinted at. The subtle tension in the air was now mirrored in Hades’s posture, a silent vow to stand guard against whatever threads of fate the seer might unravel.

“Hades? What’s wrong?” Persephone said.

“I see you’ve brought the goddess, my lord,” said the seer, gazing at Persephone. The seer’s words hung like an ominous prelude to an unknown symphony.

Hades, though outwardly composed, felt a twinge of apprehension. He nodded curtly, acknowledging the statement. “Yes,” he replied, his gaze unwavering.

“The threads of destiny weave an intricate tapestry, my lord,” the seer responded cryptically. “The goddess holds a pivotal role in the unfolding design.”

“What is he talking about, Hades?”

Her question made him look at her. And his eyes narrowed as the seer’s spectral fingers deftly unclasped the necklace that adorned Persephone’s neck. The pendant fell away, and a sudden chill filled the air.

Persephone, her expression a mix of fear and concern, asked, “What is going on?”

The seer, now holding the pendant, spoke in riddles. “An unforeseen resonance, a connection that transcends the threads of fate.”

Hades moved even closer to Persephone, his gaze fixed on the pendant in the seer’s grasp. The atmosphere hummed with an otherworldly energy, and both gods awaited the next revelation in the unfolding cosmic drama.

The seer turned away, and the pendant soared into the air, metamorphosing into an agreement orb that emanated a soft glow. The orb hovered above the revelry, capturing the attention of the partygoers.

“What in the world is that?” someone cried out.

“Look!” another called out.

A buzz grew among the revelers, and everyone quickly turned their attention toward Hades and the seer.

“Zeus! Did you arrange some kind of entertainment?” Hera declared. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Entertainment?” Zeus asked. “I didn’t?—”

Suddenly, it burst into a radiant display, projecting a vision for all to witness.

Hades immediately recognized what it was. After all, he used it frequently in his dealings with contracts and such.

An agreement orb, hidden in Persephone’s necklace all this time.

But how?—

“And you will ensure I take Olympus?” Zeus—not the real one, but rather, the image of Zeus being projected from the orb—said. “How do you plan to do this?”

“I will rig the lots, my lord,” the other man in the vision—the seer—replied. “But you must keep your promise as well. Do you agree to the terms of our bargain?”

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